Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the acute toxicity effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Ano-geissus leiocarpus using conventional methods. The result of the oral acute toxicity study revealed no death with doses up to 3200 mg/kg body weight.  However, the rats showed signs of depression and inappetence. Using the intraperitoneal route, the rats showed dose-dependent signs of toxicity ranging from inappetence, depression, unsteady gait, tremors, and respiratory distress to death. The I/P LD₅₀ was 1400 mg/kg body weight. No gross changes were observed in the organs of rats that died following extract administration.  Histopathological lesions were also not observed in all the organs except the lungs, which showed congestion, oedema and bronchitis. These results suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of A. leiocarpus could be used with some degree of safety especially by oral route.

Key words: Acute, toxicity, leaf, Anogeissus leiocarpus, rats.